David Ko
David Ko | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1972 (age 53–54) |
| Alma mater | New York University Stern School of Business |
| Occupations | Business executive, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Chief Executive Officer of meditation app Calm.com |
| Spouse | Jennifer Ko |
David Ko is an American business executive, entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer of Calm.com, Inc., a meditation and mental wellness app.[1][2] Ko has held leadership positions at Yahoo!, Zynga, and Ripple Health Group, and is also a philanthropist and mentor in higher education.[3][4]
Early life and education
Ko earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Business from the New York University Stern School of Business in 1993.[3][5]
Career
Ko began his career at Yahoo!, where he served as a senior executive for 10 years.[6] He later joined Zynga, the social-gaming company, serving as Chief Operating Officer (COO).[7]
In 2020, Ko co-founded Ripple Health Group, a healthcare-technology startup focused on patient–provider communication and access to care.[1]
In February 2022, Calm announced its acquisition of Ripple Health Group, appointing Ko as Co-Chief Executive Officer alongside Calm co-founder Michael Acton Smith.[2][1]
Other positions
Ko serves on the New York University Board of Trustees.[3] In 2021 he and his wife established the David Ko Gift to endow the Stern Venture Fellows, a program supporting students from under-represented backgrounds who are launching startups.[5] He is also a founding member of the Stern Founders and Entrepreneurs Pledge, which encourages alumni to reinvest in future generations of NYU entrepreneurs.[8]
Publications
In 2024, Ko published Recharge: Boosting Your Mental Battery One Conversation at a Time (Forbes Books).[9][10]
Recognition
Ko received the Haskins Award in 2022.[8]
See also
- Michael Acton Smith
- Mental Health Technology
References
- ^ a b c Alessandrini, Sarah (2022-02-02). "Calm app acquires Ripple Health Group and appoints a new co-CEO". CNBC.
- ^ a b Malik, Aisha (2022-02-02). "Calm acquires healthcare technology company Ripple Health Group". TechCrunch. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Meet Trustee David Ko". www.nyu.edu. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Becoming an NYU trustee: a conversation with David Ko". Washington Square News. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ a b "NYU Stern School of Business Alumnus David Ko and Wife Jennifer Ko Give $1 Million to the School to Create Summer Immersion Program for Aspiring Entrepreneurs - NYU Stern". www.stern.nyu.edu.
- ^ "Calm CEO David Ko wants us all to check our mental batteries". Haas News Berkeley. 2025-10-14. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Another Top Zynga Executive, COO David Ko, Is Stepping Down". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Honoree David Ko (BS '93), co-CEO and Board Member of Calm, Announces the New "Founders and Entrepreneurs' Pledge" at the NYU Stern Haskins Giving Society Award Dinner". www.stern.nyu.edu. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ America, Good Morning. "David Ko discusses new book, 'Recharge: Boosting Your Mental Battery'". Good Morning America. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Calm CEO Explores Mental Health And Leadership With Industry Icons". Forbes. Retrieved 18 December 2025.